Norway Moves Closer to Selecting K239 Chunmoo MLRS — Hartpunkt

The Norwegian Ministry of Defense is leaning toward purchasing the K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, which effectively removes the German EuroPULS system from the competition.

The report comes from Hartpunkt.

According to the media, Hanwha’s competitor had been KNDS Deutschland with the European EuroPULS system, but that offer was rejected as early as the summer.

Current options include systems from Lockheed Martin (including HIMARS) and South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace (K239 Chunmoo).

Sources note that Hanwha has the strongest prospects due to its existing cooperation with Norway, including deliveries of K9 Vidar self-propelled howitzers and other equipment.

The media notes that Norway’s potential turn toward South Korea may reflect a broader trend: NATO countries increasingly seeking alternatives to traditional European suppliers to secure supply chains and reduce technological dependence.

So far, there has been no official confirmation of Norway’s choice of a new rocket system. Likewise, next year’s draft budget has not yet included a section on rocket artillery, which may indicate that a final decision will be postponed until the adoption of the country’s updated long-term defense plan. In addition, the exclusion of KNDS from the competition has not been officially confirmed.

The K239 Chunmoo is a self-propelled, wheeled multiple rocket launcher capable of firing missiles of various calibers. The South Korean Armed Forces is adopting the system to replace older K136 units.

As a modular system, the K239 can carry different types of munitions:

• 130 mm rockets, from the previous-generation K136 Kooryong MLRS;
• 227 mm rockets, compatible with M270/HIMARS systems;
• 239 mm missiles, capable of hitting targets at ranges of 80–85 km, guided by GPS or inertial navigation;
• 600 mm tactical Ure-2 missiles, similar to the U.S. ATACMS, with a range of 290 km.

Development specialists are also working on an upgraded version of the Ure-2 with a longer engagement range.

The launcher features a package loading system. The K239 can carry two packages at once, with each package holding between six and 20 missiles, depending on caliber, or a single tactical ballistic missile.

Poland is already acquiring Korean MLRS, and talks are underway in Estonia, where HIMARS and Chunmoo systems are likely to be operated alongside each other.